However, Flanagan said he had always expected to be without Gallen and Lewis during the Origin period and was confident the team would not be affected after seemingly putting their season back on track with wins against Newcastle, Wests Tigers and Canberra. ''We always knew we had depth in our back row,'' Flanagan said.

''We have three forwards in the Blues team with Fifita in there, but in the forwards is where we're strongest so we should be able to cover it.''

The trio will play against the Rabbitohs at Sharks Stadium and Flanagan said the clash with the NRL competition leaders would be a true measure of how his side was travelling on the eve of Origin.

After a disrupted start to the season - when four football club staff were sacked and Flanagan was stood down over allegations of performance-enhancing drug use at the club in 2011 - the Sharks are now sitting just outside the top eight with five wins from 10 matches.

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''As a group we have a few points to prove,'' Flanagan said. ''We had a poor start and everyone knows what went on there because our focus wasn't footy.

''Now we're starting to focus on footy. We have a point to prove that we want to play semi-final footy at the end of the year. To do that we're going to have to beat teams like South Sydney.

''Souths are obviously playing really well and they have some quality players in form. We're nowhere near where we want to be but we're getting better and it will be a good test to see where we're at.''

Gallen, Lewis and fullback Michael Gordon will have fitness tests before being cleared to play, with the latter in most doubt after injuring his knee against Canberra last week.

Flanagan said speedster Nathan Gardner was on standby for Gordon if he doesn't pull up fit.

''We have to defend well,'' Flanagan said. ''We know we can score points but the big thing is where we turn the ball over.

''It's really important we have a good kicking game and a good chase. We don't want to be defending our try line too often against Souths. Where we give them the football is important. They have some big forwards and they have Inglis at the back.''

Flanagan said prop Bryce Gibbs was no chance of playing but would make his comeback from an Achilles tendon injury next week in the NSW Cup.

Souths officials said coach Michael Maguire was not expected to make any late team changes.